RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he can break the 30-goal barrier for Manchester United this season.
The Portuguese winger, voted England's double Footballer of the Year last season, has already scored 23 times for the Premier League champions in all competitions this season and currently tops the scoring charts with 17 goals.
Despite operating on the wing for United, Ronaldo has still shown an incredible for goals this season and, with Sir Alex Ferguson's team still going strong on three fronts in the league, FA Cup and Champions League, the former Sporting Lisbon youngster could record an awesome tally if he continues in his current vein of form.
The 22-year-old, currently enjoying United's mid-season break in Saudi Arabia, is set to face Spurs at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday and boss Ferguson admits that there are no limits on Ronaldo's goalscoring abilities.
Ferguson said: "With Ronaldo having scored 23 goals already, there is the potential for him to score 30 this season without question. He is not that far off and he has a strong chance of doing that.
"I'm sure that he is capable of scoring 30 league goals, though. I think that is a different matter entirely.
"Achieving that would be more difficult and I don't think that it will happen. It is a big ask, but if he does manage it, I'll pay him more money!"
Although Ronaldo's goal-scoring exploits have grabbed most of the headlines this season, it is the form of his defence that has convinced Ferguson that they are on track to retain their league title.
Last weekend's 2-0 win at Reading means the Red Devils have won eight out of their last nine league games and Ferguson believes the hard-fought victory at the Madejski Stadium could prove very important at the end of the season.
"We had to work really hard and defend as a group," the Scot told MUTV.
"There's a good understanding of the importance of the defensive part of our game and we're better than we were last season in that sense.
"We're into the run-in now. After New Year the games start to drop off very quickly and before you know it you're down to the last few. We're trying to stay focused and not get carried away.
"The players know they're going to have to work hard to win this title. But we've got a good squad and I think we're improving in certain aspects of our play."
United's chances should also be boosted by Owen Hargreaves saying he has completely shaken off the knee problems which have restricted his appearances since his summer move from Bayern Munich.
Hargreaves said: "The game against Reading was the best and strongest I have felt in weeks.
"It was good to be back. I feel positive and optimistic now. I'm looking forward to the next three of four months because I think Manchester United can have a fabulous season. I want to play every game."
